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Debbie McVitty

Debbie is Editor of Wonkhe

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The latest sector-wide financial sustainability assessment from the Office for Students

by Debbie McVitty

20/11/25

2

Educator expertise is needed to work out how AI can uplift, not constrain, cognition

Educator expertise is needed to work out how AI can uplift, not constrain, cognition

by Debbie McVitty

7/11/25

1

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What is in the post-16 education and skills white paper for higher education?

by Debbie McVitty

20/10/25

2

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A joined up post-16 system requires system-level thinking combined with local action

by Debbie McVitty

13/10/25

1

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The case for collaborative purchasing of digital assessment technology

by Debbie McVitty

6/10/25

3

Party,Popper,Confetti,Streamer,Isolated,On,Blue,Background.,Happy,Birthday — Image: Shutterstock

The PM’s announcement on higher level participation is a win for the HE sector

by Debbie McVitty

1/10/25

5

Five,Stars,Printed,On,Craft,Paper,With,Stamp.,Rating,,Best — Image: Shutterstock

The Wonkhe HE staff survey – how good is work in higher education?

by Debbie McVitty

29/09/25

Close-up,Of,Marathon,Runners',Legs,On,City,Road,During,Athletic — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education mergers are a marathon not a sprint

by Debbie McVitty

15/09/25

2

Large,Filled,Bath,With,Foam,And,Flowers.,Romantic,Atmosphere,,Burning — Image: Shutterstock

Warm words from ministers to Universities UK, but a noticeable absence of buttered parsnips

by Debbie McVitty

8/09/25

5

Refreshing,Green,Creamy,Nettle,Soup,In,A,White,Bowl,On — Image: Shutterstock

What’s coming up for HE policy in 2025–26

by Debbie McVitty

1/09/25

2

UCAS-ALevels-3674 — Image: UCAS

Behind the scenes at UCAS on level 3 results day

by Debbie McVitty

16/08/25

1

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The possibilities for radical collaboration in HE go far beyond mergers

by Debbie McVitty

21/07/25

3

Thermometer,Showing,High,Temperature,Is,On,Orange,Background.,Heat,,Measuring — Image: Shutterstock

How can students’ module feedback help prepare for success in NSS?

by Helena Lim

9/07/25

1

wonkhe-technology-learn — Image: IKON

Machine learning technology is transforming how institutions make sense of student feedback

by Livia Scott

19/06/25

4

Broken,Rope,-,Failure,And,Break,Concept,-,This,Image — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education governance needs the conflict between academic and business imperatives to be successful

by Debbie McVitty

16/06/25

4

Female,Hand,With,Retro,Telephone,And,Flowers,Visible,Through,Hole — Image: Shutterstock

What we’ll be talking about at The Festival of Higher Education 2025

by Debbie McVitty

2/06/25

Concept,Of,Stationery,Accessories,,Glue,With,Space,For,Text — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education can cut through the immigration debate with a focus on quality

by Simon Emmett

12/05/25

3d,Render,Icon,Of,Red,Notification,Bell,With,New,Urgent — Image: Shutterstock

OfS continues to sound the alarm on the financial sustainability of English higher education

by Debbie McVitty

8/05/25

2

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Capability for change – preparing for digital learning futures

by James Gray

31/03/25

Cute,Friends,Little,Trolls,On,Floral,Meadow,,Natural,Background.,Harper — Image: Shutterstock

Breaking out of Bergentown – the case for hope in higher education

by Mark Peace

18/03/25

1

Young,Woman,On,Kayak,With,Spray,Paddle.,Concept,Travel,Summer — Image: Shutterstock

Should higher education be thinking in terms of evolution or transformation?

by Debbie McVitty

17/03/25

1

Creative,Image,Of,Pink,Piggy,Bank,Under,Blue,Umbrella,On — Image: Shutterstock

How does the higher education sector sustain digital transformation in tough times?

by Debbie McVitty

10/03/25

4

Social,Justice,Together,As,A,Crowd,Of,Diverse,People,With — Image: Shutterstock

Societies that are humane are thoughtful about promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

by Debbie McVitty

8/02/25

Weathered,,Muddy,Boots,By,A,Timeworn,Couch,Evoke,Rustic,Warmth — Image: Shutterstock

Filling their boots? The rationale for growing loss-making home student numbers

by Debbie McVitty

3/02/25

15

Business,Group,Leadership,Concept,As,A,Merger,And,Acquisition,And — Image: Shutterstock

Anatomy of a higher education merger – City St George’s, University of London

by Debbie McVitty

27/01/25

5

Rainbow,In,Edinburgh,,Scotland. — Image: Shutterstock

A higher education institution’s relationship with technology crosses all its missions

by Debbie McVitty

20/01/25

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Connect more: creating the conditions for a more resilient and sustainable HE sector in England

by Debbie McVitty

16/12/24

2

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The Office for Students’ proposed new strategy for 2025–30

by Debbie McVitty

12/12/24

1

Composition,With,Bottles,Of,Different,Sauces,And,Vegetables,On,Wooden — Image: Shutterstock

Institutional silos are making it harder to build learning environments for student success

by Debbie McVitty

11/12/24

Silhouette,Business,People,Group,Reaching,Money,Falling,From,Sky — Image: Shutterstock

Is it reasonable to expect higher education institutions to be more business-like?

by Debbie McVitty

18/11/24

11

Back,To,School,Concept.,Flat,Lay,Top,View,On,Yellow — Image: Shutterstock

Bridget Phillipson has set out the government’s priorities for HE reform

by Debbie McVitty

7/11/24

4

Business,Or,Education,Growth,Development,And,Success,Concept,Banner.,Rocket — Image: Shutterstock

Seizing the current policy moment – from cost-savings to radical efficiency

by Justine Andrew

4/11/24

1

Color,Drawing,World,Map,With,Colored,Pencils,For,Children,And — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education could do more to capture and promote the global value of a UK degree

by Rachel MacSween

28/10/24

1

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A bluffer’s guide to the Universities UK blueprint for HE policy under Labour

by Debbie McVitty

30/09/24

3

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How to fail, with Universities UK

by Debbie McVitty

9/09/24

5

Miniature,With,Peanut,Man,And,Dog,Under,Umbrella — Image: Shutterstock

Trust is paramount when leading strategic change in challenging times

by Alison Johns

29/07/24

2

Multicolored,Woven,Diy,Friendship,Bracelets,Pigtail,Handmade,Of,Embroidery,Bright — Image: Shuterstock

What academics want from academic support

by Debbie McVitty

8/07/24

Tangled,Knot,On,The,Yellow,Twine — Image: Shutterstock

Once you can describe an academic support system, you can begin to evaluate it

by Debbie McVitty

8/07/24

Mini,European,Union,And,Union,Jack,Flags,In,Grass,Representing — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education in general election manifestos – the 2010s

by Debbie McVitty

4/07/24

Scottish,Thistle,Close,Up,With,Loch,Tay,In,Background — Image: Shutterstock

Labour’s tertiary approach to higher education quality could take lessons from Scotland

by Debbie McVitty

1/07/24

Happy,Little,Boy,Learning,To,Ride,Bicycle,With,Extra,Wheels, — Image: Shutterstock

How an incoming government could act immediately to stabilise universities at risk of financial collapse

by Sarah Seed

24/06/24

London-march,20:,John,Major,,British,Prime,Minister,,At,A,Press — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education in general election manifestos – the 1990s

by Debbie McVitty

20/06/24

Politics - Demonstrations and Protests - Students -National Union of Students - London - 1974 — Image: Alamy

Higher education in general election manifestos – the 1970s

by Debbie McVitty

5/06/24

Broken,Wooden,Stool,In,Abandoned,House — Image: Shutterstock

What are a future Labour government’s options to secure the future of higher education?

by Debbie McVitty

3/06/24

1

General,Election,2024,Sign,In,Front,Of,Westminster — Image: Shutterstock

What does the General Election mean for higher education?

by Debbie McVitty

24/05/24

Picture,Pop,Collage,Banner,Young,Student,Guy,Have,Censorship,Eyes — Image: Shutterstock

The Secret Lecturer’s view of university life is almost wholly grim

by Debbie McVitty

24/05/24

7

Hubbard,Glacier,Calving,-,Longest,Tidewater,Glacier,In,Alaska — Image: Shutterstock

OfS assessment of university finances warns of need for structural change to stave off risks of provider collapse

by Debbie McVitty

16/05/24

8

How to improve higher education learning and teaching – a user’s guide

How to improve higher education learning and teaching – a user’s guide

by Debbie McVitty

14/05/24

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A first look at UCAS’ new grades on entry tool

by Debbie McVitty

14/05/24

5

B&w,Winston,Churchill,In,Parliament,Square,And,Big,Ben — Image: Shutterstock

Higher education in general election manifestos – the 1940s and 50s

by Debbie McVitty

8/05/24

1

Kangaroo,At,Lucky,Bay,In,The,Cape,Le,Grand,National — Image: Shutterstock

A bluffer’s guide to the Australian Universities Accord

by David Kernohan

17/03/24

3

Apple,Peel — Image: Shutterstock

It is not sustainable to expect universities to offer specialist mental health support

by Debbie McVitty

14/03/24

5

Hanks,Of,Thread,For,Knitting.,Creative,Hobby. — Image: Shutterstock

Five aspirations for effective academic support systems

by Rachel Maxwell

11/03/24

1

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The link between place and widening participation should be more explicit

by Debbie McVitty

12/02/24

1

Folded,Baby,Clothes — Image: Shutterstock

TEF submissions reveal a range of conceptions of educational gain

by Debbie McVitty

18/12/23

3

Lunch,Boxes,With,Sandwiches,,Tomatoes,,Bottle,Of,Water,And,Backpack — Image: Shutterstock

Chris Husbands: “most politicians look at the sector and think they are looking into a mirror”

by Debbie McVitty

18/12/23

Picturesque,View,Of,Beautiful,Rainbow,And,Blue,Sky,On,Sunny — Image: Shutterstock

Now is not the time to embrace the power of positive thinking

by Debbie McVitty

19/11/23

3

Small,Plant,In,Pot,Shaped,Like,Growing,Graph — Image: Shutterstock

The places that are thriving make good use of their graduates

by Debbie McVitty

6/11/23

Glass,Strawberry,And,Banana,Smoothie,Or,Milkshake,With,Fresh,Juicy — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 1 – how universities are deploying technology for learning, teaching, and student success

by Debbie McVitty

23/10/23

Cup,Of,Coffee,And,Dry,Dates,On,Saucer,Ready,To — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 5 – navigating technology adoption in the academic community

by Jo Midgley

23/10/23

1

Oranges,Behind,Glass,Vessels,Filled,With,Water.,Distorted,Reflection. — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 4 – the contours of the generative AI debate

by Kelly Coate

23/10/23

3

A,Closeup,Shot,Of,A,Peeled,Ripe,Banana,Isolated,On — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 3 – do students know what is expected of them in their engagement with technology?

by Bethan Dudas

23/10/23

1

Fresh,Apple,Juice,,Sliced,Apples,Of,Different,Varieties,,With,A — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 2 – how can technology support institutional goals for student success?

by Antony Moss

23/10/23

Fruit,Salad,With,Yogurt,In,Carved,Melon,Cantaloupe,Bowl — Image: Shutterstock

Setting the curve 6 – moving forward with institutional digital transformation

by Heidi Fraser-Krauss

23/10/23

Image: Ikon

Financial struggles make it harder for students to connect and engage in their university community

by Gail Capper

16/10/23

Musical,Instruments,,Orchestra,Or,A,Collage,Of,Music — Image: Shutterstock

Maintaining impartiality on free speech could be the Office for Students’ biggest regulatory challenge yet

by Debbie McVitty

9/10/23

3

School,Desk,With,School,Accessory,And,Yellow,Backpack,On,Blue — Image: Shutterstock

Having the conversation with students about learning engagement and data analytics

by Michelle Craig

2/10/23

1

Abstract,Weather,Concept,-,Rain,And,Lightning,On,Black,Umbrella — Image: Shutterstock

To win public investment, universities must earn it, says UUK

by Debbie McVitty

11/09/23

5

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Level 3 results are a lightning rod for anxiety about the status of university

by Debbie McVitty

18/08/23

1

Easter,Egg,With,Hammer,And,Male,Hand.,Modern,Apstract,Surrealism — Image: Shutterstock

Will student number controls for underperforming courses actually improve quality?

by Debbie McVitty

18/07/23

1

sky-diving — Image: Shutterstock

What makes a higher education curriculum fit for the future?

by Mark Andrews

13/07/23

2

Assorted,Pharmaceutical,Medicine,Pills,,Tablets,And,Capsules,On,Wooden,Spoon — Image: Shutterstock

Student feedback – when the breakfast of champions becomes a bitter pill

by Debbie McVitty

15/06/23

3

Classic,Life,Safety,Ship's,Ring,Boat,,Rubber,Life,Raft,On — Image: Shutterstock

Government rejection of legislation will not be the last word on universities’ duty of care

by Debbie McVitty

12/06/23

1

Eight,Paper,Origami,Pigeons,Different,Colors,On,Light,Blue,Background — Image: Shutterstock

We’re asking questions about curriculum transformation

by Mark Andrews

15/05/23

4

Fresh,Farmers,Market,Fruit,And,Vegetable,From,Above,With,Copy — Image: Shutterstock

The Labour Party is in the market for higher education funding ideas

by Debbie McVitty

7/05/23

Chess,Board,Game,Competition,Business,Concept — Image: Shutterstock

Doing student voice properly is really hard work

by Debbie McVitty

24/04/23

2

Woman,With,Copper,Pots,Cooking,In,Kitchen,,Closeup — Image: Shutterstock

Universities may need to show they can be trusted to spend QR funding without interference

by James Coe

17/04/23

1

Antique,Style,Cash,Register — Image: Shutterstock

The grim calculus of access and participation

by Debbie McVitty

3/04/23

2

Polling shows public continues to be relaxed about international students

Polling shows public continues to be relaxed about international students

by Debbie McVitty

9/03/23

1

Elephant,Stands,On,Thin,Branch,Of,Withered,Tree,In,Surreal — Image: Shutterstock

The Nurse review of the research landscape depends on a stable policy environment

by Debbie McVitty

7/03/23

The future is a scary place - people need to see how R&D can help

The future is a scary place – people need to see how R&D can help

by Debbie McVitty

28/02/23

Purpose — Image: Shutterstock

A new national purpose – what if government was organised around science and technology?

by Debbie McVitty

23/02/23

3

Modern,Glasses,On,Wooden,Table,Against,Beautiful,Forest,Landscape — Image: Shutterstock

Searching for the right frame for student experience

by Debbie McVitty

13/02/23

4

Illustration,Of,Man,Reflecting,Himself,In,The,Mirror,,Loop,Surreal — Image: Shutterstock

What is the Teaching Excellence Framework’s theory of change?

by Debbie McVitty

30/01/23

4

HE minister Robert Halfon has written to vice chancellors

HE minister Robert Halfon has written to vice chancellors

by Debbie McVitty

18/01/23

1

Emotion,Management,Concept,,Stones,With,Painted,Faces,Symbolize,Different,Emotions. — Image: Shutterstock

It’s reasonable to expect universities to practise emotionally literate pedagogy

by Debbie McVitty

23/05/22

5

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How sustainable are the finances of English universities?

by Debbie McVitty

17/03/22

2

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A five-year strategy for UK research

by Debbie McVitty

17/03/22

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In the Augar response ministers are trying for a third way between capping opportunity or letting the HE market run amok

by Debbie McVitty

24/02/22

1

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Belonging inclusion and mental health are all connected

by Gail Capper

15/02/22

8

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Students want the right help at at the right time in their journey to a graduate career

by Debbie McVitty

8/02/22

1

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The challenge for HE leaders – wellbeing and inclusion in the age of blended learning

by Debbie McVitty

7/02/22

1

Scrutinising student involvement in digital governance

Scrutinising student involvement in digital governance

by Debbie McVitty

26/01/22

00009047 — Image: Ikon

Building back learning and teaching means changing assessment

by Debbie McVitty

24/01/22

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Previously on… value, quality, and teaching excellence policy and politics

by Debbie McVitty

24/01/22

2

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Making peace with uncertainty in 2022

by Debbie McVitty

10/01/22

3

people-boxes — Image: Ikon

What’s the best way to staff a university?

by Debbie McVitty

13/12/21

4